Rarely do we find gems that sparkle brightly and worm their way into the hearts of many. Whenever we are lucky to find such rare gems, we hold them dearly. Unfortunately, some gems, we can’t hold on to forever.

Ada Ameh was that gem, and her sudden demise broke all our hearts. This beloved veteran Nollywood actress and the matriarch of The Johnsons TV show, was an icon and a force to be reckoned with. She sparkled brightly on our TV screens as she put smiles on all our faces and left us with fond memories that will linger.

The native of Idoma in Benue State was born on May 15th, 1974 in Ajegunle, Lagos Nigeria, and was raised there as well. She attended primary and secondary schools in Lagos State until she had to contend with the challenges of being a young mum. Despite these challenges, she was able to carve out a name for herself in the entertainment industry.

Her journey to stardom

Her acting prowess paved way for her and landed her a role in the 1996 Zeb Ejiro blockbuster, Domitila. She played the vibrant Anita and starred alongside Ann Njemanze, Sandra Achums, Enebeli Elebuwa, Kate Henshaw and Basorge Tariah Jnr. The movie soon went on to become a critically acclaimed commercial success. Over the next two decades, Ada would appear in many Nollywood movies, cementing her status as one of the most talented actresses in the industry.

The first lady

Ade Ameh’s rise to stardom continued as she secured a lead role in our award-winning family sitcom, The Johnsons on Africa Magic. She played the role of Emuakpor Johnson, the first lady, and matriarch of the Johnsons clan. For 11 seasons, she brought joy and laughter to homes across the continent.

On the 17th of July 2022, we bade farewell to this amazing amazon. Even though we couldn’t hold on to this rare gem, she will sparkle brightly in all our hearts. Her memories will linger. A gem, now and forever.